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Three hurt in 'serious' crash on A66 in north Cumbria

Police and fire service - three engines from Penrith and two from Carlisle - were called to the scene of the crash, which happened at about 10.30am.

The Great North Air Ambulance sent two aircraft to transfer the injured to hospital.

Police say two vans travelling in opposite directions collided about five miles west of Rheged.

The driver of a white Vauxhall Vivaro van - a 53-year-old Carlisle man - was taken to the Cumberland Infirmary, Carlisle, with non-life threatening injuries.

His passenger, a Carlisle man, aged 23, was airlifted to the James Cook hospital in Middlesbrough with "very serious injuries." His condition was described as poorly but stable.

The driver of the other vehicle, a white Peugeot panel van, was a 33-year-old man from Preston. He suffered back and rib injuries and was taken to Cumberland Infirmary.

Both vehicles have been seized by police, who are appealing for information about the collision.

The road was closed in both directions between the B5288 junction and the Penruddock Road junction. It reopened at about 4pm.

Sergeant Graeme Hodgson said several witnesses had stated a blue BMW car which was driving along the road at the time may have been involved in the incident.

"It may be that the driver is unaware that a collision took place but it is vital that we trace this vehicle and the driver, in case they have important information about this morning’s incident.

“We have a number of inquiries ongoing to trace the vehicle and we are currently examining and enhancing video footage captured by a passing goods vehicle which we believe has an image of the BMW," he added.

The BMW driver, or anyone who saw the collision, should call police on 101.